Creating a bird-friendly backyard garden space

 

If you're interested in creating a backyard garden that attracts birds, continue reading. The information that follows is a basic step-by-step guide on how to create a backyard garden that not only looks beautiful but also attracts a variety of bird species. Use the following as a starting point. Build upon this information, stay diligent and you can have the garden of your dreams that also attracts a variety of beautiful bird species.

Planning a backyard garden takes time, effort, and patience. But whenever your garden is complete, the effort made will be worth it. The following six steps will get you started.

·       Determine Your Soil Type and Sunlight Exposure

·       Choose the Right Plants

·       Create a Plan

·       Prepare Your Garden Bed

·       Plant Your Garden

·       Provide Clean Water for Your Wildlife

The first step in planning a backyard garden that attracts birds is to determine your soil type and sunlight exposure. The type of soil you have will determine the kinds of plants that will thrive in your garden. Additionally, birds have different preferences for sunlight exposure, so it's important to choose plants that will attract the types of birds you want to see.

 

To determine your soil type, you can use a soil test kit or contact your local garden center for assistance. You may also contact the Cooperative Extension Office in your area. Once you know your soil type, you can research which varieties of milkweed and wildflowers are native to your area and do well in your soil and sunlight conditions. Native plants are the ideal choice because they require less maintenance and tend to be heartier. [[1]]

 

The second step is choosing the right plants that attract birds that are appropriate for the hardiness zone in your area. Choosing the right plants is essential for creating a backyard garden that attracts birds. You'll want to choose a variety of plants that offer food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for birds.

 

When selecting plants, choose plants that provide nectar, fruit, and seeds for birds. Also, make sure the plants have different bloom times so that the birds have a continuous supply of food. Choose plants that provide shelter and nesting opportunities for birds. [[1]]

Some of the plants that are known to attract birds include but are not limited to:

·          Coneflowers

·          Black-eyed Susans

·          Sunflowers

·          Hollyhocks

·          Fuchsia

·          Butterfly bushes

·          Milkweed

·          Goldenrod

·          Salvia

·          Phlox

The third step is the create a plan. Before you start planting, it's important to create a plan for your garden. This step will help ensure that you have the right plants in the right places and that you have planned a design that works well with everything in the garden. Also, look at plant color and plant placement.

When creating your plan, ask yourself the following questions:

What types of birds do you want to attract?

·         How much space do you have?

·        What is your budget?

·        How much time do you have to maintain your garden?

·        What is your soil type and sunlight exposure?

Once you have answered these questions, you can start sketching out a plan for your garden. Be sure to include different types of plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting opportunities for birds. [[3]]

Step four is to prepare your garden bed. Preparing your bed involves removing any weeds, grass, or other debris from the area where you'll be planting. Again, preparing the bed includes:

1.    Remove any weeds, grass, or other debris from the area where you'll be planting.

2.    Loosen the soil with a garden fork or tiller.

3.    Add compost or other organic matter to improve the soil.

4.    Rake the soil to create a smooth, level surface.

In the fifth step, you plant the garden. Follow the plan you created in Step 3 and plant each type of plant in the appropriate location. Also, when planting, plant in groups of three to five for visual impact and to provide a continuous food source for birds.

Lastly, provide water for your birds. Birds need a clean supply of water. Make sure the birdbaths or earthen bowls are shallow, so the birds don’t drown. The water also needs to be kept clean and free of dirt and debris.

Happy Planting!

 

Footnotes:

Photographs included are courtesy of Pexels

1. Pexels-pixabay-268496

2. Pexels-pixabay-414181

3. Pexels-Skyler-e-wing-5344570

[1] "Your soil type and the amount of sunlight it gets will help determine the kinds of plants you can grow. Choosing your plants Research which varieties of milkweed and wildflowers are native to your area and do well in your soil and sunlight conditions. Native plants are the ideal choice because they require less maintenance and tend to be heartier."

URL: https://www.fws.gov/story/how-build-pollinator-garden

[2] "How to Start a Backyard Garden: 11 Steps for New Gardeners Written by MasterClass Last updated: Jun 7, 2021, • 7 min read With the right tools and the proper know-how, you can easily learn the gardening basics needed to turn your backyard into a thriving plant paradise."

URL: https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-start-a-backyard-garden

[3] "Once you know all the important factors to consider, planning a garden can be an enjoyable experience. This advice will guide you on your way. 1. Get to know the rules Set-up by Fleur Ward Interior Design (Image credit: Fleur Ward Interior Design) First up - you need to check that it’s possible for your garden design plans to go ahead."

URL: https://www.gardeningetc.com/advice/how-to-plan-your-garden-design

[4] "List all the elements you want to include from lawns, patio ideas, and deck ideas, through to outbuildings, a garden for growing veggies, pool ideas, play areas for kids, arches, arbors, and pergolas. And the garden fence and garden wall ideas you prefer for boundaries and within the backyard to zone it. (Image credit: The Garden Company)"

URL: https://www.homesandgardens.com/advice/how-to-landscape-a-backyard

[5] "Create a relaxing environment Block out the hot sun, harsh winds, and public areas using trees, shrubs, and large-scale perennials. 10. Strike a balance between lawn and planting areas Create a lower-maintenance garden that can be used for recreation and enjoyed for its beauty. Photo: courtesy of Julie Witmer 11."

URL: https://www.finegardening.com/article/garden-design-basics-creating-well-thought-plan

[6] "Use garden hoses or string to mark off paths, borders, flowerbeds, vegetable gardens, lawns, and where any other features will be. Fill a trash bag to simulate shrubs; place it on the end of a big stick or pole to make pretend trees. Then walk the marked paths, move around the yard, and test out the new look."

URL: https://www.planetnatural.com/garden-planning/

[7] "1. Add a stone patio. Keller  Keller. Paved surfaces next to the house make taking a seat outdoors more comfortable and convenient. So landscape architect Paul Maue nestled a bluestone terrace right outside French doors that lead from three key areas of the house: the dining room, the great room, and the library."

URL: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/yards/21018232/7-steps-to-creating-a-backyard-from-scratch